Addiction is a disease. Treat it like one.

It’s not about “being strong” or “overcoming a weakness.” Opioid addiction is a disease. It’s a medical condition that requires treatment so that people can regain their lives. The sooner you recognize the disease and get help, the better your chances of regaining your life. But how do you know if you or someone you know has an opioid problem?

Local Resources

Find local prevention, treatment, recovery and support services in Cecil County.

Call the Cecil Addiction Treatment Coordination Hotline (CATCH).

Find local overdose prevention, addiction treatment and recovery support in Cecil County.

443-245-3257 Available 24/7

Medication-Supported Recovery (MSR) means second chances.

Medication-supported recovery has helped three out of four people with opioid addiction successfully complete treatment. Coupled with counseling, treatment is personalized to suit every individual’s situation. Call 410-996-5106, and a peer counselor can help you get started. Or choose from this list of treatment centers to find one near you.

Find MSR Resources

Medication-Supported Recovery (MSR) is a combination of counseling — that helps to change behaviors and provide education on how to avoid triggers for opioid use — and medication to treat substance use disorders (SUD). MSR can be used no matter what level of care the individual is in.

MSR is a proven form of treatment, effective in helping those with substance use disorders such as opioid addiction. Research has shown that MSR reduces illicit drug use and overdose deaths, and improves retention in treatment. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 75% of patients who used MSR for treatment (taking 16 mg of buprenorphine per day) successfully completed treatment.

People can hold jobs while in treatment and participate in meaningful family, work and social activities. MSR reduces cravings and lowers the risk of relapse and overdose.

Medication is administered with a physician’s supervision at a clinic. In the form of pills or liquid, medication is taken once daily. Those who are in MSR are also counseled on a regular basis to help them understand and recognize how to deal with their cravings and drug-use triggers. Counselors also provide support. Those using MSR for an SUD are able to improve their lives while they are in treatment.

Treating the disease of an SUD — such as opioid addiction — can involve several types of medications. Buprenorphine, suboxone, naltrexone and vivitrol are the mediations most often prescribed. These lessen the symptoms of opiate withdrawal and block the euphoric effects of opioids.

Yes. MSR is a proven form of treatment for opioid addiction. Depending on the medication used to treat the addiction disease, some may be started immediately, and some may require a short waiting period. All are safe for long-term use as a maintenance therapy.

SUD is a disease. It’s important to recognize that, like any chronic disease, an SUD such as opioid addiction can require medication to treat it. When you think about opioid addiction in those terms, it becomes clear that medication for treatment may be the best therapeutic option.

Family support is critical to the success of any addiction-related recovery. If someone you care about has been recommended MSR as a form of treatment, talk with a peer counselor at 410-996-5106 to learn how you can help the person in your life take the first step toward recovery.

How do I know if I have a problem?

There are physical and psychological signs and symptoms of opioid abuse. People often experience euphoria and improved self-esteem, followed by extreme depression, lack of motivation, and even anxiety and anxiety attacks. If you find yourself using opioids longer than the time intended, and have trouble decreasing the amount taken, or even stopping, you could be on shaky ground. If you’re spending time thinking about, obtaining or recovering from opioids, you should talk to someone before it’s too late.

How to ask for help.

Reaching out for help with addiction isn’t shameful—it’s courageous. Admitting you have a drug problem is the first big step to recovery. Don’t let pride or embarrassment stand in the way of asking for help from your parents, loved ones or friends and seeking out a treatment facility.

Fighting addiction can be the hardest, most emotional challenge you’ll ever take on. You absolutely need the medical attention and counseling of trained professionals. They’ll guide you through treatment and rehab and teach you new coping skills and how to steer clear of opioids or other drugs in the future. You may also meet others in recovery who will bolster and support you. Together, treatment and recovery support can give you the strength to write the next chapter of your life.

Resources: Where to get help

Cecil County’s treatment programs are staffed with caring, knowledgeable counselors and medical professionals who’ll help you, a friend or a loved one fight and manage addiction. Our list of treatment programs offers choices of qualified, comprehensive centers where people suffering from drug addiction can get the care they need to successfully recover and regain their lives.

How to get someone into treatment:

  • Understand addiction and provide support
  • Talk about the disease and give meaningful answers
  • Consider intervention with friends or family members
  • Use the resources provided here to find the right program

Treatment can include:

Research shows that treatment can help people addicted to drugs stop using, avoid relapse and recover to a drug-free life. But addiction is complex, and no two people respond to treatment the same way. The most effective treatment addresses multiple needs of the individual—not just the drug addiction.

  • Detoxification
  • Medication
  • Healthy behavior counseling
  • Avoidance of triggers
  • Learning to address cravings and urges
  • Ongoing counseling
  • Support from family and friends
  • Addressing coexisting conditions